Joseph Bataille

I use an app called LeafSnap to identify trees in my yard. You can find it in the iPhone app store, and I'm fairly certain there's an android version.

This might be a good time to ask others... What resources do you use to identify trees and plants?

So we're new to our current property and I'm working on designing several different composting systems this year: traditional aerobic compost... vermicompost... maybe BSF (black soldier flies)... along with mushroom cultivation for woody "waste" ... etc.

That got me to thinking... There's only so much waste to go around. And once it's been processed, it's usually too "done" to be useful in another system. Those of you who have multiple systems, how do you go about deciding what goes where? I have chickens (mobile tractor system for now, but waste can be harnessed)... I have sheep (with straw bedding in the barn for winter)... There's still a portion of our yard that will be mowed lawn (grass clippings)... and of course we have a kitchen, but there isn't much waste for a family of two.

Surely there's a way to rotate the certain types of waste through different systems in a helpful way? Example: Chicken waste ---> traditional aerobic compost ---> vermicompost. I could also let the chickens work through the sheep bedding for awhile to break it down for traditional composting. But this is not going to work in every case, nor would it always be helpful.

What systems do you have in place, and how do you choose what you put where?

Now that makes a lot of sense to me. Basically mushrooms as another composting strategy. I wonder if they grow well on wood that’s already been used and tired out on other mushrooms...

Eric Hanson wrote: ....I did this a long time ago when I was disposing of some wood.  I dug a trench, threw in the wood, then replaced the soil.  In the end, I got a slightly raised bed as I would expect you would also.

We have plans to dig a few small swales between garden beds. These would probably be of good use as extra material in the berms/beds.

bruce Fine wrote:looks like your in a fairly urban area. if not wanting hugelkulture
if you want it gone---post online ad for free firewood
or you could burn a little at a time and amend your soil with wood ash. neighbors might not like a big bon fire, or you could call fire dept and ask if they want to use it for training fires.
theres got to be a book somewhere---50 things you can do with unwanted wood.
I might add that whatever you might do with it, now, winter time is the best time to deal with it, no problems with hidden hornet nests or snake dens

We actually have a good amount of space (2.7 acres) and I’d describe it as rural. There’s a horse farm down the street. Thanks for the tip on dealing with it in the winter. I may not get around to it this year, in that case. This is Year 1 and we have so many “priorities.”

Tereza Okava wrote:I would bury it in a hugelbed. I don't have space for a real hugel, but I have "hugelfied" all my garden beds at this point. Buried old stumps and nasty wood.
Chips and firewood are always good uses!!

I remembered seeing someone use wood (mostly branches) to fill in his raised beds. I never considered it for stumps and logs. Do you have lots and stumps in your beds?

Eric Hanson wrote:Wine Caps are about the easiest mushroom to grow and if you are interested, I can walk you through the process.

Good Luck,

Eric

Hey Eric, one of my non-checked-off tasks for the day literally written into my journal is “Look into mushrooms.” I was looking because it was suggested for my food forest plans. I know very little why wine caps over other types? We were considering types that we already eat like baby bellas, oysters or shiitakes.

Anne Miller wrote:What about woodworking?  Some of that wood might work for plates, spoons, or mallets.

Here are a couple of forum you might find some ideas:

https://permies.com/f/391/pep-woodworking

https://permies.com/f/133/woodworking

I haven’t gotten into working unprocessed wood yet but I’d be up for the challenge!

Joseph Bataille wrote:We have lots of food forest plans. See my other post on transitioning an established forest to a food forest. I’d love feedback on that post too if you have any tips. I’m trying to think through some strategic reverse succession.

Oops. You’ve already contributed there, John. I should also mention that We have plans for blueberries, apples, and peaches in another area. The would could be a great addition there.

John Suavecito wrote:Rotten wood is outstanding for planting trees or woody bushes...... I would keep it and use some of it every time you plant a tree or bush.  Helps clay drain. Retains moisture in summer.  Keeps rich organic material in sandy soil.  That's why it's useful for hugulkultur.  Starts the soil food web.  
John S
PDX OR

We have lots of food forest plans. See my other post on transitioning an established forest to a food forest. I’d love feedback on that post too if you have any tips. I’m trying to think through some strategic reverse succession.